Bruise - B (Pop La Disque) By Steve Rudd

When pure pop meets anthemic rock, I can't help but smile. Bruise are a delectable duo that produces such a form of music with graceful panache, sounding somewhat like a more sublime Roxette. Both the vocal performances and the music are to die for, with the beautiful Isobel Morris writing all the song lyrics and singing them in style. She really does have an extraordinary voice, and not only that but she plays the guitar parts too, leaving the other half of the duo in Jim Kimberley (who is a dead ringer for bespectacled baldie Moby) to play the drums and further texture their songs with backing vocals.

There is an ethereally enchanting sheen to all these nine songs that are spread over the best part of three-quarters of an hour, with Excuse Me setting such poetry in motion, being a vibrant and upbeat tune that would be perfect Top 40 material through being non-offensive and HUGELY catchy. The Pariah that follows is even more of a pop-rock gem, blessed by a cracking and beautifully eloquent chorus that really does allow Isobel's voice to shine like a beacon in the night.

The crisp, clean marriage of acoustic and electric guitars is exquisite, before Miss Bigfish stomps forth, being uncompromisingly upbeat as the big verses shoulder-barge even bigger and better choruses, while their Superhero presents another side to the duo via their abstract and seriously fun lyrics: Freud and Nietszche. What can they teach ya? We'll go far in our cartoon car.

Wanting is another song that rumbles along with a fair few interesting lines such as You smell like my grandpa. I like it that way. Still, nothing can beat the final song in Silvertown for quality lyrics. An unexpectedly downbeat and chilled-out masterpiece that is probably the saddest song of all on this album (that seems to tell of a shallow heart being behind the grand façade of neon lights and flash materialism on offer in modern society in any old town and city), the cutting verse My boyfriend's got a new phone. It doesn't make sense. The kisses he sends me all cost ten pence is sheer class.

Just like the album as a whole, for this Bruise is what 'pop-rock' music is all about, with such a collection of striking melodies and harmonies having to be heard to be believed. Let them hit you. I guarantee you'll feel no pain... www.bruisemusic.co.uk

Album/CD Reviews - The Prellies - Afternoon Tea With The Prellies Reviewed By Nick Quantrill
	As a general rule, tribute acts are a waste of time and should be left for the less discerning music fan. The Prellies are the exception to this rule. The Beatles' musical cannon has been pored over and analysed to the point that there is little left to say. However, that would be wrong as The Prellies explore a hidden corner of The Beatles' musical legacy. The Beatles, along with many others, fused Read more...

Album Reviews - Morning Runner - Drawing Shapes (Parlophone) By Steve Rudd
	Brace yourselves, one and all, for this band is set to become very, very, very well known indeed as they head out on the road in support of Coldplay. This fantastically exciting release is the band's debut EP and it is to be savoured, kicking off with Work, a song with a dark edge that develops into something of an epic that's propelled by well-structured means. The guitar and Read more...

Album/CD Reviews - Holly Taymar - EP (Genie Cake Records) By Nick Quantrill
	EP is a limited edition release from York's Holly Taymar. Her critically acclaimed debut album, Less Than Nothing, was very much a jazz influenced record, yet it wasn't without one eye on capturing a wider audience for her music. This follow-up EP retains strong jazz elements but also incorporates a more commercial approach that hints at the direction her forthcoming full-length Read more...

Album Reviews - The Departure - Dirty Words (Parlophone) By Steve Rudd
	Fit to bursting with a few of the coolest tunes of recent years, there are three past single releases from this Northampton-nurtured band gracing this eleven-track album in the form of the uber-catchy All Mapped Out, Be My Enemy and Lump In My Throat. This album has been far too long in coming, but the wait has been more than worth it, as The Departure continue to set the Read more...

Album Reviews - Ryan Adams and The Cardinals - Cold Roses (Lost Highway) By Steve Rudd
	By God, this guy never ever seems to stop working. Despite a rather recent injury to one of his arms after an accident he had while playing a gig, this Country-Rocker is most definitely back on the scene - and not with just a few songs, but with a double-album that heralds a whole 19 brand new tracks. Granted, the total running time of both CDs combined comes to less than eighty minutes Read more...

Music News - Bad Girls Collective By Carolyn
	As the house and dance music scene in England goes from strength to strength the city of Hull is supplying it with new and innovative DJs by the dozen. There are many good DJ's in this area and for its size and limited selling area, Hull is certainly keeping up with the rest of the country in its varied nights across the city and many new genres are being supported. There does seem to be a lack of Read more...

Album Reviews - The Automatic - Recover (B-Unique) By Steve Rudd Release Date: October 24th 2005
	Viciously vibrant, dynamically deadly and extraordinarily exciting are just a few ways of describing this thoroughly refreshing blast of music from the amazingly young band in The Automatic... a quartet of guys who are clearly plussed-up on the type of music that makes the masses tick. Busting out of a small Welsh town, they sound destined to take the world by storm Read more...

CD/Album Reviews - Blind Frog Ernie - Inner Sanctum By Bernie Laverick
	Like skiffle, boogie and ragtime, the concept album seems almost like an ancient relic from a long gone era. But who could forget Rick Wakeman's epic The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table or even, The Six Wives of Henry Vlll? Riveting stuff! Even then, it was seen as self-indulgent pap, and quite Read more...

Single Reviews - Clor -Good Stuff (Regal) by Steve Rudd
	Fans who have been following this hugely exciting and innovative band right from the start might be glad to know that the original release of Good Stuff (when it featured on the band's limited edition Welcome Music Lovers EP) is now something of a much sought-after collector's item, with such a release Read more...

Single Reviews - Morning Runner - Be All You Want Me To Be (Parlophone) by Steve Rudd
	It's so far been a long and hard wait for Morning Runner's debut album, and still there is no sign. That's due in the new year, but in the meantime - and to follow up the success of the band's amazing Gone Up In Flames single - Be All You Want Me To Be demands attention like an angel of mercy stalking the underworld. Quite simply, this is yet another beautiful Read more...

Album Reviews - Stoner - Life And Times (EP/Rhythmbank) By Steve Rudd
	Superficially judging by the cover photo of this stunning three-track EP release, one might blindly assume because this trio is comprised of three stylish young lads that the music will be of the all-out rock variety. They sure look ready to rock, and in spurts they do rock, but for the most part the music of Stoner is a refreshing diversion for rock fans in that there are strong elements of Soul Read more...

Single Reviews - Hey Negrita - Old Britannia by Steve Rudd
	Following-up their marvellous Devil In My Shoes single in captivating style, this is the second single from Hey Negrita, a London quartet that deserves to be huge. Pushing an intriguing style of music, elements of new-wave 'Country' and 'Pop' music dominate the lush and simply lovely sound. Old Britannia Read more...

Music News - Press Release - Introducing Paparazzi Whore
	Bass driven glam punk with attitude is how people are describing Paparazzi Whore. DJ Steve Lamacq is currently playing the first track I Don't Think So from their debut album I'd Rather be Infamous Than Famous. Also, Claire Sturgess from XFM has made them Unsigned Band of the Week. Pulse Rated Hot Trax are now playing the second track Read more...

Album/CD Reviews - Ricky - High Speed Silence (Beat Crazy Records) By Nick Quantrill
	Ricky were undoubtedly one of the music industry's success stories of 2004. Sheer determination, effort and no little talent saw the band's self-released single hit the national charts and the accompanying debut album receive a four-star review in 'Q' magazine. Now signed to Beat Crazy Records, their debut release for the label, Stop Knocking The Read more...